Director humbled by success of the Pathfinder Chorus

P.D. Stibor knows his place in the world -- or at least his place in the world of Fremont.

“I’ll be at Hy-Vee getting groceries, and I’ll be stopped by people,” said Stibor. “They always say the same thing.”

At 53, Stibor is the music director for the Pathfinder Chorus, a Fremont-based barbershop group of about 90 men from across eastern Nebraska that ranks among one of the best in the world.

“People will always say how much they like the chorus,” he continued. “I’m humbled by it. The notoriety that I have acquired by the different organizations that I belong to is enhanced by the people around me. If the chorus sings well, it’s my fault. If the chorus doesn’t sing well, it’s my fault, too. Others do what it takes to get attention, and I get the credit for it.”

While Stibor is most well-known in the area for his work with the chorus �” which includes singing in different quartets throughout the years �” he is also involved with other groups, including the Fremont Rotary Club and First Lutheran Church. He works as a sales representative for Eakes Office Equipment.

But even with all of those other activities, Stibor, who grew up in Scribner, said he just loves to sing, having first started singing in church groups in the early 1970s. He joined the Pathfinder Chorus in 1980 and became the director in 1987.

“Singing is something that you can do and work at to become better,” he said. “It’s something that’s instantly gratifying. The harmony parts of barbershop tend to hook someone with personalities like ours.”

Even though Stibor is the chorus director, he said he still has a drive to sing, having recently joined Bryan Nelson, Aaron Smith and Aaron Wolf to form the quartet Now and Then. Singing lead in a quartet isn’t new to Stibor. A former quartet, Phase II which featured Stibor singing lead, won the five-state district championship in 2000.

Even with all of that, singing isn’t most important.

“My family is most dear to me, first and foremost,” he said.

That includes three grown daughters -- Melissa, Amanda and Andrea -- and three grandchildren.

“But who is my family? My immediate family and my kids, but that’s also my barbershop family. I have a real bond with a lot of those guys. Some of them I would call with a problem before I would call my brother,” he said.

Then he stopped to ponder.

“Am I successful? That depends on what you deem as success. If you look at personal relationships, I am very successful. If you look at marriage, I’m not. If you look at jobs, I am not very successful. I have a stronger relationship with business people in town through the Rotary Club and the Chamber (of Commerce).

“I wish I could be known for something other than the chorus. I wish I could be known for philanthropy or entrepreneurship or work in the community. I really have a passion for The Salvation Army, but my attachment there is through the chorus.”

Each year, the Pathfinder Chorus has a special Christmas concert at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church to benefit The Salvation Army in Fremont.